Academic Vocabulary: English ЕГЭ 2025 Preparation

Academic vocabulary is essential for success in educational contexts and formal writing. Mastering this specialized vocabulary can significantly improve your language proficiency and help you achieve a higher score in the ЕГЭ English exam. This guide will help you understand and use academic vocabulary effectively in your studies and exam preparation.

Theory for Exam Preparation

Academic vocabulary refers to the words and phrases commonly used in educational and scholarly contexts. It includes both general academic words that appear across different disciplines and specialized terminology specific to particular fields of study. Understanding and using academic vocabulary appropriately demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and critical thinking skills. In the ЕГЭ English exam, academic vocabulary is particularly important for the reading comprehension and writing sections, where you may encounter or need to produce formal academic texts. This guide will explore the characteristics of academic vocabulary, provide examples organized by categories, and offer strategies for learning and using academic vocabulary effectively in your exam preparation and beyond.

Understanding Academic Vocabulary

Academic vocabulary can be divided into several categories:

Types of Academic Vocabulary

General Academic Vocabulary

These are words that appear frequently across different academic disciplines but are not common in everyday conversation.

Examples:

analyze (verb) - to examine methodically and in detail
concept (noun) - an abstract idea or general notion
significant (adjective) - important, notable, or consequential
demonstrate (verb) - to clearly show the existence or truth of something
perspective (noun) - a particular way of considering something

Technical/Specialized Vocabulary

These are words specific to particular academic disciplines or fields of study.

Examples:

photosynthesis (biology) - the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy
algorithm (computer science) - a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem
metaphor (literature) - a figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison
inflation (economics) - a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money
isotope (chemistry) - each of two or more forms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Academic Collocations

These are combinations of words that commonly occur together in academic contexts.

Examples:

conduct research
draw conclusions
gather evidence
significant difference
critical analysis

Academic Phrases and Expressions

These are multi-word expressions commonly used in academic writing and speaking.

Examples:

in other words
to a certain extent
in the light of
with regard to
as a consequence of

Characteristics of Academic Vocabulary

Formality: Academic vocabulary is generally more formal than everyday language.
Precision: Academic words often have specific meanings and are used to express ideas with accuracy.
Objectivity: Academic vocabulary tends to be less emotional and more neutral in tone.
Complexity: Academic words are often longer and more complex in structure, many derived from Latin or Greek roots.
Abstraction: Academic vocabulary frequently deals with abstract concepts rather than concrete objects or actions.

Common Academic Words by Function

Describing and Defining

Word	Definition	Example
define	to state or explain the exact meaning of something	The author defines democracy as a system of government by the whole population.
characterize	to describe the distinctive features of something	The novel is characterized by its complex narrative structure.
constitute	to be the parts or elements of something	These factors constitute the main challenges facing the industry.
denote	to be a sign of; to indicate	The red line denotes the boundary between the two regions.
comprise	to consist of; to be made up of	The committee comprises representatives from various departments.

Analyzing and Evaluating

Word	Definition	Example
analyze	to examine methodically and in detail	The researcher analyzed the data to identify patterns.
evaluate	to assess or judge the value or quality of something	We need to evaluate the effectiveness of the new policy.
critique	to assess critically	The professor asked students to critique the article's methodology.
interpret	to explain the meaning of	Different scholars interpret this text in various ways.
assess	to evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something	The exam will assess your understanding of the key concepts.

Comparing and Contrasting

Word	Definition	Example
compare	to examine the similarities and differences between things	The study compares the education systems of different countries.
contrast	to point out differences between things	The author contrasts urban and rural lifestyles.
differentiate	to recognize or establish a difference between things	It is important to differentiate between correlation and causation.
distinguish	to recognize or treat someone or something as different	The researcher distinguished between primary and secondary sources.
analogous	comparable in certain respects	The structure of an atom is analogous to our solar system.

Arguing and Persuading

Word	Definition	Example
argue	to present reasons for or against something	The author argues that economic factors were more significant than political ones.
assert	to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully	The report asserts that climate change is accelerating.
contend	to assert something as a position in an argument	Some scholars contend that the traditional interpretation is flawed.
refute	to prove that something is wrong	The new evidence refutes the previous theory.
substantiate	to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something	The researcher was unable to substantiate these claims.

Showing Cause and Effect

Word	Definition	Example
cause	to make something happen	Excessive rainfall caused the river to flood.
lead to	to result in	Poor planning led to project delays.
contribute to	to be one of the causes of something	Multiple factors contributed to the economic crisis.
result from	to be caused by	The shortage resulted from increased demand and reduced supply.
attribute to	to regard something as being caused by	The improvement in test scores can be attributed to the new teaching methods.

Academic Vocabulary by Subject Area

Science and Mathematics

Word	Definition	Example
hypothesis	a proposed explanation for a phenomenon	The scientist developed a hypothesis about the cause of the disease.
variable	a factor that can change in an experiment	The researcher controlled all variables except temperature.
analyze	to examine methodically and in detail	The students analyzed the chemical composition of the sample.
data	facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis	The experiment generated a large amount of data.
theory	a system of ideas intended to explain something	Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized physics.

Social Sciences

Word	Definition	Example
phenomenon	a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen	Urbanization is a global phenomenon affecting many countries.
paradigm	a typical example or pattern of something	The study represents a new paradigm in social research.
empirical	based on observation or experience rather than theory	The conclusions are supported by empirical evidence.
demographic	relating to the structure of populations	The demographic profile of the area has changed significantly.
methodology	a system of methods used in a particular area of study	The researcher explained the methodology used in the study.

Humanities

Word	Definition	Example
interpret	to explain the meaning of	Scholars continue to interpret ancient texts in new ways.
context	the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea	The poem must be understood in its historical context.
perspective	a particular way of considering something	The book offers a feminist perspective on the novel.
analyze	to examine methodically and in detail	The students analyzed the structure and themes of the poem.
critique	a detailed analysis and assessment	The essay presents a critique of modern consumer culture.

Business and Economics

Word	Definition	Example
analyze	to examine methodically and in detail	The economist analyzed market trends over the past decade.
strategy	a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim	The company developed a new marketing strategy.
implement	to put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect	The government implemented new economic policies.
sustainable	able to be maintained at a certain rate or level	The business model must be sustainable in the long term.
infrastructure	the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise	Investment in infrastructure is essential for economic growth.

Academic Linking Words and Phrases

Adding Information

Expression	Example
furthermore	The treatment was expensive. Furthermore, it had several side effects.
in addition	The company increased its profits. In addition, it expanded into new markets.
moreover	The proposal is cost-effective. Moreover, it addresses all the key issues.
additionally	The study had a large sample size. Additionally, it used robust statistical methods.
as well as	The research examined economic factors as well as social influences.

Contrasting Information

Expression	Example
however	The treatment showed promising results. However, more research is needed.
nevertheless	The evidence is limited. Nevertheless, some conclusions can be drawn.
conversely	Some species thrived in the new environment. Conversely, others struggled to adapt.
on the other hand	The policy has economic benefits. On the other hand, it may have social costs.
in contrast	The first experiment yielded positive results. In contrast, the second experiment was inconclusive.

Showing Cause and Effect

Expression	Example
consequently	The company invested in new technology. Consequently, productivity increased.
as a result	The rainfall was unusually heavy. As a result, the river flooded.
therefore	The evidence is compelling. Therefore, the hypothesis is accepted.
thus	The costs exceeded the budget. Thus, the project was delayed.
due to	The experiment failed due to equipment malfunction.

Providing Examples

Expression	Example
for instance	Many factors affect climate change. For instance, deforestation contributes to increased carbon dioxide levels.
for example	Several species are endangered. For example, the Amur leopard has fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild.
such as	The study examined various renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
namely	Three factors were identified, namely cost, availability, and effectiveness.
to illustrate	The theory has been applied in various fields. To illustrate, consider its application in cognitive psychology.

Summarizing and Concluding

Expression	Example
in conclusion	In conclusion, the evidence supports the hypothesis.
to summarize	To summarize, the study found significant differences between the two groups.
in summary	In summary, the new approach offers several advantages over traditional methods.
overall	Overall, the results indicate a positive trend.
to conclude	To conclude, further research is needed to fully understand the phenomenon.

Strategies for Learning Academic Vocabulary

Reading Academic Texts

Active reading: Read academic texts actively, highlighting unfamiliar words and phrases.
Context clues: Try to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context before looking them up.
Keep a vocabulary journal: Record new academic words you encounter, along with their definitions and example sentences.
Read widely: Expose yourself to academic texts from different disciplines to broaden your vocabulary.

Using Academic Word Lists

Academic Word List (AWL): Focus on learning the words in the Academic Word List, which contains 570 word families that appear frequently in academic texts across disciplines.
Categorize words: Organize academic words by function (e.g., describing, analyzing, comparing) or by subject area.
Learn word families: Learn different forms of the same word (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical, analytically).

Practice and Application

Use in writing: Incorporate academic vocabulary in your essays and other written assignments.
Create example sentences: Write your own sentences using new academic words to reinforce your learning.
Study collocations: Learn which words commonly go together in academic contexts.
Peer discussion: Discuss academic topics with peers, consciously using academic vocabulary.

Digital Resources

Online dictionaries: Use specialized dictionaries for academic vocabulary.
Vocabulary apps: Use apps designed for learning academic vocabulary.
Corpus tools: Explore how academic words are used in context using corpus tools like the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA).
Academic writing websites: Visit websites that provide resources for academic writing and vocabulary.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

Misuse of Academic Words

Using academic words incorrectly or in inappropriate contexts.

Examples:

Incorrect: "The movie was very significant." (Using "significant" to mean "good" or "important" in a casual context)
Correct: "The study found a statistically significant difference between the two groups."

Overuse of Complex Vocabulary

Using unnecessarily complex words when simpler ones would be more effective.

Examples:

Overcomplex: "The utilization of polysyllabic lexical items does not invariably facilitate comprehension."
Better: "Using complex words does not always improve understanding."

Inconsistent Register

Mixing academic vocabulary with informal language.

Examples:

Inconsistent: "The research demonstrates that the theory is totally wrong."
Consistent: "The research demonstrates that the theory is fundamentally flawed."

Incorrect Collocations

Using academic words with words they don't naturally combine with.

Examples:

Incorrect: "do research" (instead of "conduct research")
Incorrect: "make a conclusion" (instead of "draw a conclusion")

Practice Examples

Choose the most appropriate academic word to complete each sentence.

The researcher _______ the data to identify patterns. (looked at / analyzed / checked)
The study _______ that there is a correlation between diet and health. (shows / indicates / tells)
The author _______ that economic factors were more important than political ones. (says / argues / mentions)
The experiment was _______ under controlled conditions. (done / conducted / made)
The results _______ the hypothesis that exercise improves mental health. (back up / support / help)

Answers:

1. The researcher analyzed the data to identify patterns. ("Analyzed" is more academic and precise than "looked at" or "checked")

2. The study indicates that there is a correlation between diet and health. ("Indicates" is more formal and appropriate for academic contexts than "shows" or "tells")

3. The author argues that economic factors were more important than political ones. ("Argues" suggests a reasoned position, which is more academic than "says" or "mentions")

4. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions. ("Conducted" is the standard academic collocation with "experiment")

5. The results support the hypothesis that exercise improves mental health. ("Support" is more formal and precise than "back up" or "help")

Replace the underlined informal expressions with more academic alternatives.

The study looked at the effects of climate change on biodiversity.
The results show that the new treatment is effective.
The author talks about the economic implications of the policy.
The experiment didn't work due to methodological flaws.
The researchers found out that the hypothesis was incorrect.

Answers:

1. The study examined/investigated/analyzed the effects of climate change on biodiversity.

2. The results indicate/demonstrate/reveal that the new treatment is effective.

3. The author discusses/addresses/examines the economic implications of the policy.

4. The experiment failed/was unsuccessful due to methodological flaws.

5. The researchers discovered/determined/ascertained that the hypothesis was incorrect.

Match each academic linking word or phrase with its function.

furthermore
however
consequently
for instance
in conclusion

Functions: a) Contrasting information, b) Providing examples, c) Adding information, d) Showing cause and effect, e) Summarizing and concluding

Answers:

1. furthermore - c) Adding information

2. however - a) Contrasting information

3. consequently - d) Showing cause and effect

4. for instance - b) Providing examples

5. in conclusion - e) Summarizing and concluding

Identify the academic collocation in each sentence.

The researcher conducted a survey of 1,000 participants.
The study draws conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment.
The author presents evidence to support the theory.
The experiment yielded significant results.
The analysis reveals patterns in the data.

Answers:

1. conducted a survey

2. draws conclusions

3. presents evidence

4. yielded significant results

5. reveals patterns

Key Points to Remember

Academic vocabulary includes general academic words, technical/specialized vocabulary, academic collocations, and academic phrases and expressions.
Academic vocabulary is characterized by formality, precision, objectivity, complexity, and abstraction.
Different academic functions (describing, analyzing, comparing, arguing, etc.) require specific vocabulary.
Academic vocabulary varies across different subject areas (science, social sciences, humanities, business, etc.).
Academic linking words and phrases help to structure and connect ideas in academic writing.
Strategies for learning academic vocabulary include active reading, using academic word lists, practice and application, and utilizing digital resources.
Common errors include misuse of academic words, overuse of complex vocabulary, inconsistent register, and incorrect collocations.

Exam Tip!

In the ЕГЭ English exam, you may be tested on your ability to:

Understand academic vocabulary in reading comprehension texts
Use appropriate academic vocabulary in writing tasks, especially essays
Recognize and use academic collocations correctly
Structure your ideas using academic linking words and phrases

When preparing for the exam, focus on learning academic vocabulary that is relevant to common essay topics, such as education, technology, environment, and social issues. Practice using this vocabulary in your writing, and pay attention to how it is used in sample essays and reading texts.